I have been reading your posts for several months and have learned alot about my car, especially about potential modifications. Thank you all. I have a 2k SE loaded auto, manufactured 7/00. This is my 2nd Max (prior:'97 GLE). I love the car and have had no problems except for paint chips on the front bumper cover (super black!) I covered them up with a nose mask/bra.
I am wondering what's the advantage or purpose of being able to turn off the traction control manually? What the point having an option of shutting it off? A nissan mechanic said it would make my tire spin/ chirp more with it off when starting fast from a stop, but could not think of any other reason. What do you folks think?

 

if you are stuck in a bank of snow. the car will not move if you are stuck in snow and have the TC computer on. By turning it off, you are able to spin the tires, and rock the car out of snow banks!

 

I raced my buddy's 99 Camry V6 at a stoplight, when it just rained, Because our TCS system is "ADVANCED, like the brochure says" ... it Drops the RPM if it senses Wheel Spin!!

So when I raced, because of the Wet tarmac, the damn TCS wouldn't let my RPM go above 4000!!!

Lets just say I lost that race!


Now I race, with it OFF ... and just let the VLSD kick in to get a better launch!!!

 

Thank you for your responses, they make sense. On one occasion that I floored the gas pedal from a stop the "spin" light came on so maybe the road was wet. It doesn't snow around here (SF bay area) but it is good to know about turning it off if I am ever stuck. Is there any effect of using the TCS on or off during highway driving on a dry road? I think there shouldn't be any.

 

The only reason I see to turn it off is when you are doing some spirited driving, street racing, or when your stuck in a snow bank. It's not going to do any harm if you leave it on and the factory default is the "on" position.